ASEAN leaders call for easing tensions in South China Sea, Myanmar

Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone speaks during the closing ceremony of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in Vientiane Laos Oct 11 2024 REUTERS-Yonhap — Laos' Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone speaks during the closing ceremony of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in Vientiane, Laos, Oct. 11, 2024. REUTERS-Yonhap

SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) – The leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have called for the swift implementation of a code of conduct in the South China Sea to prevent conflicts between nations, during the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits held in Vientiane, Laos.

In a chairman's statement on Friday, the leaders emphasized the need for trust-building measures to reduce the risk of accidents, misunderstandings and miscalculations in the region.

The summit also addressed the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, calling for an immediate cessation of violence and the creation of an environment conducive to humanitarian assistance and comprehensive national dialogue.

ASEAN welcomed Thailand's proposal to host informal talks on the Myanmar issue by the end of this year.

China’s claim to 90 percent of the South China Sea within its "nine-dash line" has been a source of tension with neighboring countries.

While ASEAN and China have agreed to finalize a code of conduct by 2026, disagreements persist over its binding nature.

The summit marked the first time in three and a half years that a representative from Myanmar's military government has attended an ASEAN high-level meeting.

AJP